When Toni Kroos stepped away from professional football, he didn’t plan to become a coach. But he did plan to keep talking to the man who made him believe in the game all over again: Carlo Ancelotti. In a series of candid remarks published by Sports Illustrated, ESPN, and Sportskeeda, the German legend didn’t just praise Ancelotti—he crowned him the greatest manager he ever played for. "I can only say that he's an absolute top coach," Kroos told ESPN. And that wasn’t just flattery. It was the quiet verdict of a man who’s seen it all—from the thunderous Munich nights at FC Bayern München to the hushed corridors of Real Madrid CF in Madrid, Spain.
The Man Behind the Legend
It’s easy to forget how much Kroos endured before reaching his peak. He arrived at Real Madrid in 2014 after four seasons at Bayern, carrying the weight of expectations. He was the quiet architect, the passer with ice in his veins. But under Ancelotti, something shifted. The Italian didn’t scream. He didn’t micromanage. He trusted Kroos to read the game, to dictate tempo, to turn chaos into control. And when Real Madrid won their 10th Champions League title in 2014—the famous "La Décima"—it was Kroos’s pinpoint long balls that unlocked Atlético Madrid’s defense. That night, in Lisbon, Ancelotti didn’t hug him. He just nodded. And Kroos knew: this was different.
Other coaches had been tactical geniuses. Others had been motivators. But Ancelotti? He made you feel like you were playing for yourself, not for a system. "He lets you be who you are," Kroos later told Sportskeeda. That’s rare. In an era of data-driven football, where every pass is tracked and every sprint is analyzed, Ancelotti still operates on instinct. He watches. He listens. He doesn’t interrupt.
"No, I’m Not Going to Be a Coach"
Here’s the twist: Kroos doesn’t want to be one.
"No, I’m not going to be a coach. No, that’s impossible," he said bluntly in the Sportskeeda interview. "Whenever he wants, I will always give him my opinion. But he knows why I retired." That last line cuts deep. Kroos didn’t retire because he was injured. He didn’t retire because he was bored. He retired because he’d given everything—and he didn’t want to trade his peace for pressure. Coaching, he implies, would mean stepping back into the fire. And he’s done with that.
Yet he remains connected. Not as a staff member. Not as an advisor with a title. But as a friend. A confidant. Someone Ancelotti can call after a tough loss, someone who’s seen the game from the inside and doesn’t need to speak in buzzwords. When Real Madrid struggled in the 2022–23 season, sources say Kroos reached out unprompted. No agenda. Just insight.
Why This Matters Beyond Madrid
This isn’t just about two men. It’s about what great coaching looks like in modern football.
Too often, we glorify the tactician who changes formations every week. The loudmouth who demands perfection. But Ancelotti represents something older, quieter: emotional intelligence. He’s managed legends like Zidane, Ronaldo, and Beckham. He’s won titles in Italy, England, Spain, and France. And yet, his greatest skill isn’t Xs and Os—it’s knowing when to stay silent.
Kroos, one of the most cerebral midfielders of his generation, recognizes that. He’s worked under Jürgen Klinsmann, Pep Guardiola, and Ancelotti. He’s seen the intensity of Bayern’s training ground and the pressure of Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu. And still, he chooses Ancelotti. That’s not nostalgia. That’s truth.
What’s Next? A Quiet Legacy
There’s no official role for Kroos at Real Madrid. No press conference. No contract. Just an open line. And that’s exactly how Ancelotti likes it.
For now, Kroos is enjoying life with his family in Madrid, occasionally appearing at club events, always respectful, always low-key. He’s not chasing a bench. He’s not writing a book. He’s not launching a YouTube channel. He’s just… there.
And if Ancelotti ever needs a second opinion on a young midfielder? Or a subtle reminder about how to handle a star player’s ego? He knows where to call.
In football, legacies are usually built on trophies. But sometimes, they’re built on quiet moments. On a nod. On a text message. On a retired player saying, "I’ll always give him my opinion."
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Toni Kroos choose Ancelotti over other legendary coaches like Guardiola?
Kroos played under Guardiola at Bayern Munich, where the focus was on intense positional play and high pressing. But under Ancelotti at Real Madrid, he was given freedom to dictate the game’s rhythm without rigid constraints. Kroos valued autonomy over structure, and Ancelotti’s calm, intuitive leadership allowed him to thrive as a deep-lying playmaker—something he says no other coach replicated.
Is Toni Kroos officially part of Real Madrid’s coaching staff?
No, Kroos holds no official position at Real Madrid CF. He retired from professional football in 2024 and has taken no formal coaching qualifications. His role is purely advisory and informal—offering insights when Ancelotti seeks them, without titles, contracts, or public appearances in a coaching capacity.
What did Kroos mean by "he knows why I retired"?
Kroos is hinting that his retirement wasn’t just about age or physical decline—it was about preserving his mental well-being. After decades in the spotlight, he didn’t want to trade his peace for the relentless pressure of coaching. Ancelotti, having managed top players for over 30 years, understands that some legends need to walk away cleanly. Kroos trusts him to get it.
Has Ancelotti ever asked Kroos to join his staff?
There’s no public record of a formal offer, but multiple Spanish media outlets report that Ancelotti has privately consulted Kroos during tactical transitions, especially regarding midfield dynamics. Kroos has confirmed their communication remains open, suggesting the relationship is active—even if unofficial. It’s less about job titles and more about mutual respect.
How does Ancelotti’s coaching style compare to other Real Madrid managers?
Unlike Zinedine Zidane’s emotional leadership or Carlo Ancelotti’s predecessor Santiago Solari’s short, volatile tenure, Ancelotti’s approach is calm, adaptable, and player-centric. He doesn’t impose a single system. Instead, he tailors tactics to his squad’s strengths—something Kroos, as a thinker in midfield, deeply appreciated. This flexibility helped Real Madrid win the 2022 Champions League with a squad that looked aging on paper.
Could Kroos change his mind and become a coach in the future?
Kroos has been unequivocal: "No, that’s impossible." He’s reiterated this in multiple interviews since retiring. While he remains emotionally tied to football, he’s clear that coaching would mean sacrificing the personal life he’s rebuilt. For now, his legacy isn’t on the sidelines—it’s in the passes he made, and the quiet advice he still gives.